New eatery offers more than 30 pasta dishes

It was 2 o’clock in the afternoon, but the lunch rush was still in full swing Friday at Pastini Pastaria, the new Italian restaurant in the Corvallis Market Center. General manager Jeremy Yoba sized up the crowd with an approving eye.

“We opened Monday the 17th, and you know what? It’s been looking like this every day since then,” Yoba said.

Pastini is a small but growing chain that debuted in Portland in 2001. Today owners Craig and Suzie Bashel have eight locations, including six in the metro area and one in Bend. The Bashels decided to add Corvallis to the list after several visits to the city.

“They saw a Pastini here,” Yoba said. “It’s that kind of town.”

The menu features regional classics from all over Italy, ranging from Fettucine Alfredo to Five-Cheese Lasagna to good old Maccheroni and Cheese. Pasta clearly is the star of the show, with nearly three dozen dishes to choose from, including some exotic noodles you may not have encountered before. Cavatappi, anyone?

There are 11 vegetarian options, and whole wheat and rice pastas are available, as well. Entrees run from $8.95 to $10.95. There’s also a range of antipasto plates, salads, grilled panini, sandwiches and a kids’ menu, as well as Italian desserts such as spumoni and tiramisu.

Pastini has a service bar, a selection of Italian and Northwest wines and several Oregon microbrews on tap.

The vibe is casual but sophisticated, an urban bistro with an exhibition kitchen, framed photos on the walls and jazz on the sound system. The restaurant seats 130, with a patio that can accommodate another 25 in good weather.

“We’re trying to go for a neighborhood Italian kind of feel,” Yoba said. “We have great spaghetti and meatballs. The lasagna’s good, too.”

Bennett Hall can be reached at 758-9529 or bennett.hall@lee.net.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Pastini Pastaria

WHERE: 1580 N.W. Ninth St., Suite 101

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

PHONE: 257-2579

EMPLOYEES: 60